The Gospel According To SatanSample

You and I live daily within an external—and internal—clash of two worldviews. This is the exact tension within which Jesus himself ministered during his earthly tenure. There is the worldview we might call Materialism, which even Jesus’ followers can’t seem to keep themselves away from and in which the entire unbelieving world continues to swim. And then there’s the worldview of Christianity. So many of the disciples’ problems arise from confusing the worldview of Christianity with the worldview of materialism. And so many of our problems arise from also confusing these worldviews. It’s one reason why taking verses such as John 16:23–24 out of context can be so appealing, even though we’re not doing it intentionally. . . .

Materialism offers circumstantial experiences and temporary things to satisfy superficial desires. Christianity offers the glory of Christ to satisfy the eternal void inside of our souls.

The problem with the materialistic worldview is that it doesn’t go deep enough. We’re all searching for happiness, but Jesus is offering a deep, bottomless, abounding, everlasting well of forever-joy.

Like the disciples, many times we think we’re treasuring Jesus but we only see the Jesus we want to see, the Jesus we want him to be. He knows that when we face the prospect of immense sadness—

as did the disciples in the three days of his crucifixion and burial—we may be undone with confusion and pain.

Jesus knows that his followers have to endure a very difficult life in this expansion of his mission since his ascension. They are threatened, accused, exiled, in some cases tortured, and in many cases executed for their faith.

But he makes them a promise. He makes them a promise that is far greater than earthly rewards and earthly successes. . . .

The pain is a promise. And, reader, your pain is a promise.

One day your tears not only will be wiped away but will turn to rapturous joy. He will trade your ashes for beauty. Every single hurt you endure will be stored up and returned to you a million-fold in heavenly bliss.